Rescuers have lost their fight to save an injured dolphin, which beached near Bellambi boat ramp this morning.

Crowds gathered to watch after the dolphin's location was reported to police around 6.30am.

National Parks and Wildlife rangers and a team of bystanders stabilised the dolphin in the water south of the boat ramp, while an ORCCA specialist assessed its health.

The dolphin was bleeding from its mouth, side and tail, though NPWS rangers said it was unlikely that it had been attacked.

The sex of the dolphin was unknown, but it was confirmed to be a common, not bottlenose, dolphin.

Following the health assessment, the dolphin was transported to a Wollongong vet for further examination.

However, it died on the way to the vet.

Illawarra Mercury